InterProvincial GAA Rounders Returns – Men’s & Women’s Tournaments Confirmed for March 29

InterProvincial GAA Rounders Returns – Men’s & Women’s Tournaments Confirmed for March 29

GAA Rounders is set to kick off the 2026 season in style, with the InterProvincial Tournament confirmed as the opening event of the year.

In a major and welcome change, the 2026 competition will feature separate Men’s and Women’s InterProvincials for the first time, both taking place on:

📅 Sunday, 29 March 2026
📍 Athlone GAA, Co. Westmeath

Match Schedule

12:00pm Throw-In

  • Men’s Semi-Final: Leinster vs Ulster
  • Women’s Semi-Final: Connacht vs Munster

2:00pm Throw-In

  • Men’s Semi-Final: Connacht vs Munster
  • Women’s Semi-Final: Leinster vs Ulster

4:00pm Finals

  • Winners of each semi-final face off in both Men’s and Women’s finals

Semi-finals will be played over five innings, with finals possibly extending to seven innings

Interprovincials

Panel Structure & Selection Rules

Each province will name:

  • 15-player Men’s panel
  • 15-player Women’s panel

Key rules:

  • Maximum of five players per club on each panel
  • No players under 18 permitted
  • Players must have competed in the 2025 Championship
  • Selection overseen by each Provincial Representative and selectors

Selectors face difficult decisions and clubs are asked to respect the process and commitment involved.

Grade Balance – Ensuring Fair Representation

Each panel must include:

  • 5 x Senior
  • 5 x Intermediate
  • 5 x Junior

Starting Teams:

  • 3 x Senior
  • 3 x Intermediate
  • 3 x Junior

Substitutions:

  • Like-for-like only (Junior for Junior, etc.)
  • All substitutes must receive game time

Note: Munster operates a slightly different structure based on team availability.

Mandatory Training Sessions

Each province will host two mandatory training sessions:

  1. Late February – Dates & venues TBC
  2. Mid-March – Dates & venues TBC

⚠ Important: Players must attend BOTH sessions to be eligible to play on March 29.

Club Nominations – Action Required

Club Secretaries must submit their nominations by:

🗓 Friday, 13 February

Please ensure:

  • Nominations are realistic
  • Players are fully committed to training & match day
  • The five-player-per-club limit is respected

A Huge Honour

Representing your province is one of the highest honours in GAA Rounders. This event allows players from Junior to Senior level to showcase their talent on a national stage.

With live streaming expected, this will be a major showcase for the sport as the 2026 season begins.

For queries please contact:
Shirley Lennon
National Secretary, GAA Rounders